Worcester Warriors forward Michael Fatialofa has been cleared to return home after five months in hospital following a serious neck injury.
It was feared the New Zealand-born flanker, 27, might never walk again after he suffered a broken bone in his neck against Saracens on 4 January.
But Fatialofa’s wife, Tatiana, has confirmed he will be allowed home on Friday.
“My delightful husband is coming home,” she posted on Twitter.
“There are no words that suffice how grateful Michael and I are for every person who has championed us. He wouldn’t be coming home in this miraculous condition without your prayers, love and the support shown in various ways which will carry us through the next phase.”
Fatialofa suffered his injury – a C4 vertebrae fracture and spinal contusion – when joining a maul less than a minute after coming on against Saracens as a second-half replacement at Allianz Park.
After almost three weeks in intensive care in London, he was then transferred to the rehab unit at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital 40 miles away in Aylesbury.
After taking his first steps, he was then walking unaided within 11 weeks of suffering the injury. But now he has been allowed to complete his journey the extra 90 miles back to Worcester.
What are the next steps for Fatialofa?
Fatialofa signed a two-year deal when he joined Warriors from Wellington-based New Zealand Super Rugby side Hurricanes in 2018.
He was actually set to move on this summer to a French Top 14 club when that contract expired, but Warriors have remained committed to him throughout his rehabilitation so far.
The club helped in the setting-up of a fund-raising appeal for Fatialofa which, as of Friday, had reached £39,497. according to the JustGiving page.
Warriors will also support him in the next stage in his recovery with a programme supervised by the club’s head of medical Ryan Kehoe before Fatialofa’s expected return to New Zealand by the end of the year.
He will have use of the facilities at Sixways, subject to the latest social distancing regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Following a handover from the rehabilitation team at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we will look to continue to build on the amazing work they have done with Michael,” said Kehoe.
“His rehabilitation at this stage will focus on improving his general muscular strength, co-ordination and mobility.”
Fatialofa will also be working with Worcester education officer Lynette Cutting to explore future career opportunities.
Meanwhile, Warriors have confirmed that their three signings for next season, stand-off Billy Searle from Wasps, flanker Joe Batley from Bristol and returning Exeter loose forward Matt Kvesic, will all be available to play if the season gets the green light to restart as intended on 15 August.
Existing deals involving players with expiring contracts all end on 30 June, allowing the three to officially become Worcester players on 1 July.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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